Penny Banner

Early life Growing up, Mary Ann Kostecki's family did not have television. She idolized Hank Williams, a musician, when she was young. During this time, Sam Muchnick, president of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), came into the lounge where she worked, and her boss told him that Banner was capable of doing two-hundred sit-ups.

She held many titles in her career, including the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship three times between 1956 and 1960 and the AWA World Women's Championship in 1961. She was then booked into a match with Byers in Indiana for the newly formed American Wrestling Alliance (AWA) in August 1961, but Byers no-showed. She also served as the Commissioner of the Professional Girl Wrestling Association (PGWA) from 1992 until her death. She also appeared for WCW at Slamboree 1994 with other wrestling legends.

Banner's autobiography Banner Days was completed 2005.

In late 2005, Banner was diagnosed with cancer. In February 2006, the cancer had shrunk considerably after a doctor's check-up. In late 2007, Banner suffered several health crises, including pneumonia, resulting in severe weight loss. She died in her sleep at the home of her daughter, Wendi, in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 12, 2008.

Championships and accomplishments American Wrestling Association AWA World Women's Championship (1 time) Other honoree (1992) Georgia Championship Wrestling NWA Southern Women's Championship (Georgia version) (1 time) National Wrestling Alliance NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Betty Jo Hawkins (2), Bonnie Watson (1) and Lorraine Johnson (2) NWA Southwest Sports NWA Texas Women's Championship (2 times) Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2005 Stampede Wrestling Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 1995) St. Louis Wrestling Hall Of Fame Class of 2007